Debut for Cunningham against Algeria

Teenage defender Greg Cunningham was handed a senior international debut as Ireland attempted to claim a second World Cup scalp inside four days.

The 19-year-old Manchester City full-back was handed a start against finalists Algeria after impressing during Giovanni Trapattoni’s end-of-season training camp.

There was a first start too for Derby midfielder Paul Green, who made his bow as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Paraguay on Tuesday evening.

Algeria coach Rabah Saadane included debutants Adlane Guedioura, of Wolves, Djamel Mesbah and Habib Ballaid in his starting line-up with England boss Fabio Capello’s lieutenant Franco Baldini expected to be in the crowd ahead of the clash between the two sides in Cape Town on June 18.

Rep of Ireland: Westwood, Kelly, St. Ledger, O’Shea, Cunningham, Lawrence, Whelan, Green, Duff, Doyle, Keane. Subs: Joe Murphy, Brian Murphy, Foley, Stokes, Sheridan, O’Dea, Long, Andrews, Fahey.

Algeria: Chaouchi, Bellaid, Mesbah, Halliche, Belhadj, Mansouri, Lacen, Guedioura, Ziani, Ghezzal, Djebbour. Subs: M’Bohli, Boudebouz, Saifi, Laifaoui, Kadir, Abdoun.

Referee: Eric Braamhar (Netherlands)